Image: Facebook/Vilma Santos
Vilma Santos has revealed she contracted COVID-19, but has since tested negative, although she is still trying to recover from “long-haul” complications.
The Star for All Seasons opened up on her condition while explaining her recent absence from social media, via her Facebook page today, Nov. 2.
“Alam ko po na medyo matagal niyo po akong hinanap. Well I’ll be frank. COVID got me,” she told fans. “At ibang klase po ‘yung COVID ko. Negative na ako pero ito po daw ‘yung tinatawag nilang ‘long COVID.'”
(I know that you have been looking for me for quite a while. Well I’ll be frank. [COVID-19] got me. My experience with COVID is kind of different. I already [tested] negative, but this is what they call “long COVID.”)
Santos explained that she is still experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, such as asthma attacks, fluctuating blood pressure and headaches.
Most people who recover from COVID-19 do so within weeks or months. But recent data found that others who had been infected with the coronavirus can sometimes experience “a variety of mid- and long-term effects” after recovery, collectively known as post-COVID-19 condition, or long COVID.
“Kahit anong ingat ang ginawa ko, nakuha pa rin po ako ng COVID. So ang advice po ng mga doctor sa’kin, I really had to rest. In fact, up to now kailangan medyo rest lang,” she said.
(No matter how careful I have been, [COVID-19] still got me. So my doctor advised that I really had to rest. In fact, up to now I still have to just rest.)
Santos then reminded the public to be careful as contracting COVID-19 had been difficult for her to deal with.
“Please, COVID is still here. Lalo na sa tulad ko po, sa edad ko na mga senior, you really have to be careful. Hindi po talaga madali,” she stated. (Please, COVID is still here. Especially those like me who are senior citizens, you really have to be careful. It really isn’t easy.)
Santos also assured her fans that she is trying to get well and “get back into the groove.”
“Pasensya na kayo, hindi ko nasasagot ang mga text niyo. Wala pa akong vlog pero ngayon I’m trying my very best. Babalik din tayo,” she told them. (I am sorry I have not been able to answer your texts. I also did not get to vlog, but now I am trying my best. We will get back.)
Meanwhile, Santos recently teased her comeback to the big screen, in what seems to be a project with acclaimed director Erik Matti. The Star for All Seasons’ last movie offering was the 2016 comedy-drama film “Everything about Her” with Angel Locsin and Xian Lim. /ra
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